Bullish David Forde is adamant the Republic of Ireland will qualify for the World Cup - despite their slip up against Austria.

The concession of a late equaliser in Dublin last month leaves Giovanni Trapattoni’s fourth-placed men with it all to do even though they are level on points with Sweden and Austria who are all vying for the playoff.

But Forde insists lessons have been learned that will in turn stand to a much-changed Irish side still trying to find its feet in attempting to qualify for the biggest prize in world football.

“You never underestimate draws, especially in today’s game,” said the Millwall goalkeeper who can rubber stamp his Championship status for next season with a draw against Derby on Saturday.

“Draws and staying unbeaten breeds confidence. I know it was a bit of a killer blow but you take the positive out of that and learn a lot from it. Going forward it will galvanise us and make us stronger.”

Next up is the Faroe Islands on June 7 - the third game of four in a busy summer schedule that sees Ireland play friendlies against England and Georgia beforehand before rounding off with a glamour friendly against Spain in New York.

Considering the Faroes comes so late after the end of the English season, Forde admits it will be a ‘banana skin’ game, not least because everyone automatically expects three points against the Group C minnows.

The new Irish No 1 said: “Everyone as a young kid dreams of playing England, especially at Wembley because it’s a special place. That will be a massive game but more importantly is the World Cup qualifier - that is the main game and it’s about being prepared for that one.

“It’s a potential banana skin but we know what is at stake and what the consequences are. We all want to get to a World Cup and we will be champing at the bit to get a good result at home.

“That would give us 11 points and put us in a good position going into the remaining games.”

Forde added: “I’m actually very confident of qualifying for the World Cup and I think we will qualify. I just think on past performances and you also look at the players who have come into the side, they improve your confidence.

“Seamus Coleman has been a revelation and James McCarthy too. We look focused and hungry. I think we will qualify. It was disappointing to concede late against Austria but on a positive note we will learn a lot from that and bring it into the next game.

“The dressing room was a bit quiet and everyone was dumbstruck and couldn’t believe it. But before those two games, if someone said you would still be in with a shout with a lot of games to go, you would take it. We are level on points with the two others.”

Providing Ireland do beat the Faroe Islands next month, it’s likely that Forde and co will have to beat Sweden at home and Austria away in September - a massive double-header that will shape Ireland’s World Cup destiny.

At international level, football is about small margins - a fact not lost on Forde.

His stunning late save in Stockholm ensured Ireland left the Swedish capital with a well-earned point. But he could do nothing about Austria’s late, late deflected goal in Dublin.

But Forde insists Ireland won’t be running scared of either of their play-off rivals.

“I think Austria are a better side that Sweden anyway,” he said. “They are a better footballing side, sharper and quicker. David Alaba (scorer of that late equaliser) plays left back for Bayern Munich and he was phenomenal.

“We could have come out of those games only talking about the next European Championships but while it was disappointing, we are still in with a chance and that is the main thing.”